Fourteen plans for a rainy day: from dipped bottles to cross-stitched motifs
We show you how to work wonders with small paint projects that range from ‘chop-chop’ to challenging.
Take your pick…
All bottled up
These oh-so-pretty dipped glass bottles are oh-so-easy! Simply give your bottles a good clean and when they’re completely dry, you can start with your water-based painting. There are two ways of going about it: 1 Dip them straight into your bucket of PVA paint, let the excess paint drip off and then stand them upside down to dry, creating drip marks on the bottle. 2 Paint the bottles (except the base) freehand, using the same paint, and then allow them to stand upright to dry. Touch up where necessary then fill the bottles with some of your favourite blooms for a quirky centrepiece.
Framed!
1 Stick masking tape horizontally over your pictures, just below the centre line. Press it down firmly so there are no bubbles or gaps where paint can seep in. 2 Paint the front and sides of the frame and glass using ordinary water-based paint. 3 Lay the frame on top of a standing jar and allow it to dry completely before painting a second and third coat. 4 Once all your layers are complete, slowly peel off the masking tape. 5 Touch up any areas where the paint has peeled off or is uneven, allow it to dry and then hang. >>
Spell it out
Super-sized scrabble letters make a welcoming statement in an entrance hall. We had 3mm plywood cut into 25 x 25cm squares, covered them in a coat of white water-based paint, and then painted the letters on in a black water-based paint. We worked on the letters being 15cm high and wide and the lines being 1cm thick, while the numbers in the corners are 3cm high.
Basket case
Traditional woven baskets get a modern makeover with silver metallic quick-drying Dulux Ducospray. We sprayed them freehand, but you can also use masking tape to cover the handles and create a strip through the middle of the basket, leaving less room for error and creating a more defined look.
5 Cross-stitch wall art
Cross-stitch isn’t just for needlework enthusiasts, it also makes beautiful wall art – as seen on interior designer Eline Pellinghof’s blog, bloesem.blogs.com. Here’s how to make your own work of art: in pencil, draw the outline of your design on the wall; then copy a cross-stitch pattern by painting the crosses onto the wall with a thin brush. Voila! A lovely picture instead of a headboard!
6 Paint and paper
Stripped of its mechanical parts and fitted with glass shelves cut to size, this broken wall clock has been re-invented as a quirky bathroom cabinet. Crisp white spray paint makes it the perfect statement piece against a plain or patterned wall. Here, soft floral wallpaper above the dado rail (Blue Damask from Wallcoverings Inc) and a brightly painted textured wallpaper (also from Wallcoverings Inc) finished in Dulux Pearlglo Waterbased in Venetian Crystal 3 work wonders.
7 Fun with blackboard paint
Create the perfect place to learn and play by painting a pine table’s worktop with blackboard paint – the whole family can enjoy fun homework sessions and hours of amusement. Blackboard paint comes in a variety of colours – try bright blue or a funky green! For best results, prepare the wood with an all-purpose primer before painting at least three coats.
Stencil your skirting
This serene white kitchen was given a spunky touch when the owners added a playful stencil design to the skirting. They used leftover Dulux Roofguard in the colour Grecian Grey – and just look how it came to life!
The stencil was homemade but you can look at PNA or Builders for ready-made options. PNA also stocks adhesive repositioning spray in its craft section.
Out on the tiles
Looking for a quick fix for ghastly bathroom tiles that should never have survived the ’70s? Simply paint them in a contemporary colour for a whole new look. Here’s how:
10 Best foot forward
This old table has been given a fun modern twist. Two coats of Annie Sloan paint in the colour Old White were applied, followed by Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax. To get the dipped effect on the legs, measure the height of the line you’d like to create and then use masking tape to make your mark and prevent the paint from bleeding. Then paint the legs with two coats of high-gloss enamel (we used Dulux Fuchsia Falls 1), ensuring that the paint dries thoroughly between coats.
11 Freeze frame
Not a fan of window dressings but desperate for some privacy? Simply spray your windows with frosted spray paint (try the Krylon or Rust-oleum ranges). This way, you can enjoy diffused natural light streaming into your room. Get as creative with your designs as you like.
12 A grand entrance
A water-based enamel such as Dulux Pearlglo Waterbased is a good option for both interior and exterior doors, or opt for an oil-based paint for a high-gloss finish. An eggshell enamel paint is not suitable for outdoor use. For a smooth finish, sand with 240-grit sandpaper before applying the final coat. Consider a different colour for the frame to create a striking contrast. >>
Powder-coat perfection
Update your wire mesh garden furniture with a solution that lasts: powder-coating. Although your choice of colours is relatively limited (the primary colours are all available), it’s a cost-effective exercise as you pay per weight of the object you want to have coated. Search online for a supplier near you.
For a personal touch, weave some nylon edge trimmer line around the edges or use it to create a pattern on the back of the chair. Edge trimmer line (about R20 for 2m) comes in various neon colours to complement your colour scheme. Otherwise, play with colourful ribbon.
Black and white stripes
Designer Carol van Wyk was given a limited budget to create a 1950s look for this Cape Town bathroom. “I decided to echo the diagonal stripes of the black and white floor tiles with bold stripes on the walls; it was an easy way to make a graphic impact,” she says.
PAINT & WIN TRY THIS AT HOME Mail a picture to competition@homemag.co.za with the word DULUX in the subject line and
win cash! See page 4 for details.